The law of “Cause and Effect” states that for every thought or action there is an effect in the future. Good thoughts brings forth joy, and evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) thoughts brings forth suffering in the future. For many people, the lapse of time may be too long for us to see the relationship. The following is a verse from the Osashizu commenting on Cause and effect (innen, karma).

The world’s path is a path of manifestations, whereas God’s path is the path of the heart. In the world’s path, you can do whatever you want and get away with it, so long as no one sees you do it. But in the path of the heart, it all comes to bear on yourself. Osashizu January 27, 1891

In summary, some believe that we can avoid punishment by not being caught; but we do not realize that there is an internal mechanism that punishes or rewards us depending on our thoughts. This is the law of cause and effect. Have no greed, arrogance, and self-love to have a joyous future.